Don't Kill Yourself - Summer Workout Warning
How does the sun play a role in outdoor workouts? People play outside and at the beach without issues. Although the sun feels great, warming your face and body, it also dehydrates the skin and body. Dehydration can seriously affect your workouts and can lead to severe conditions including heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Staying hydrated for sun runs and other outdoor activates is key to staying healthy and improving performance. Your muscles and brain are made up of approximately 70-75% percent water.
As you dehydrate, your muscles and brain suffer. Dizziness, nausea and even ringing in the ears can occur with dehydration. Even mild dehydration can alter a person’ mood, energy level and impair a person’s ability to think clearly according to two studies at the University of Connecticut’s Human Performance laboratory. But evidence suggests that these problems are short-term once hydration occurs.
3. How do I know if I am having heat stroke or heat exhaustion? Which one is worse?
Symptoms of heat illness include:
Throbbing headache.
Dizziness and light-headedness.
Lack of sweating despite the heat.
Red, hot, and dry skin.
Muscle weakness or cramps.
Nausea and vomiting.
Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak.
Rapid, shallow breathing.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two primary examples of heat-related illnesses that can be fatal if not treated properly. These illnesses are likely to occur on hot, humid days when the body’s sweat is not enough to cool itself down back to normal temperature. It is critical to receive medical treatment if these symptoms are escalated during heat exposure.
Heat stroke develops rapidly and if not treated properly, can cause severe brain damage. Heat exhaustion takes place when the body becomes overheated from physical activity and hot temperatures. Prior to engaging in outdoor activity, it is important to check the heat index- The heat index is a measurement of how hot it feels when relative humidity is combined with the effects of the air temperature. When the heat index falls at 90 degrees or higher, limit your outdoor activities.
